Sears Launches Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy

Sears Holdings, Hoffman Estates, Ill., USA, this week released its new Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy, which is part of a larger effort by the company to increase its sourcing of environmentally-preferred paper for its catalogs, retail circulars, direct mail, and internal paper usage. Sears says that the Sustainable Paper Procurement Policy is its commitment to phase out fiber from unwanted sources, and procure paper sourced from credibly certified forest sources with verified chain-of-custody and/or recycled sources with a preference for post-consumer recycled paper. The policy also outlines supplier requirements and a preferred sustainable supplier program. In addition, Sears announced that it is implementing Metafore's Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT) to assist it in the procurement of sustainable paper. EPAT, Sears notes, will provide it with data about and transparency into its suppliers' paper sourcing practices, which will facilitate implementation of the new paper procurement policy. The company adds that it will work with suppliers to get a more accurate understanding of the lifecycle costs of paper choices based on grade types and fiber sources available. With EPAT, the company will evaluate suppliers' paper production processes such as waste, energy efficiency, the health of natural systems, water, air and climate quality, as well as community and human well-being.

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